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A group of researchers in Denmark have discovered two enzymes they say can convert any donated blood to group O, the only type that is safe for everyone. The Elizabethkingia meningosepticum gut bacterium, a cause of opportunistic infections, targets the A antigen and Bacteroides fragilis removes the B antigen. The researchers say the purified enzymes are very efficient and they plan to work with a company in Massachusetts to plan clinical trials.

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Researchers in Sweden used advanced DNA analysis to find the protein responsible for the Vel blood group antigen. This solves the long-standing problem of identifying donors who lack the antigen in order to help meet the need for Vel-negative blood. Lund University researchers including Jill Storry, whose work was supported by AABB's National Blood Foundation, say the SMIM1 protein can be identified by routine DNA testing. Two studies in the topic were published in the journal Nature Genetics.

Blood bank directors in India seem to agree that new research findings that blood types can be converted to the universal O type will help ease -- but not solve -- blood shortages. However, they cited some roadblocks, such as the long-term effects of conversion, antigens and RH factor.

U.K. biotechs warn that unless small companies get some research and development funding, the country will lose its place as No. 2 in the world for the work. The head of the BioIndustry Association said China and India will surpass the U.K. unless biotech investment becomes a priority for the government.

A group of researchers in Denmark have discovered two enzymes they say can convert any donated blood to group O, the only type that is safe for everyone. The Elizabethkingia meningosepticum gut bacterium, a cause of opportunistic infections, targets the A antigen, and Bacteroides fragilis removes the B antigen. The researchers say the purified enzymes are very efficient and they plan to work with a company in Massachusetts to plan clinical trials.

Due to the population increase of the European corn borer, plantings of biotech corn increased more than tenfold in France in just one year, but the crop remains the only such one approved for planting in the country. The French corn producers' association attributed a spurred interest in Monsanto Co.'s biotech seed in 2006 to a vastly expanded territory of the pest in France.